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and protection; and he who seeks a violent disruption of these good relations cannot mean the welfare and safety of the negro - but the ruin [Six lines torn from document] be seen, that in we only rush into anoth[er which is] incalculably greater.- Now, it is my opinion, that if we are to be forced against our wii,;hes into a great battle upon this slavery question, it is infinitely better that we should fight with the abolitionists, than with our own slaves,- Let us not war with our friends, but our enemies - not against those who serve us, but those who wrong us - not against the defenceless whom it were cruelty to slay, but against those demons of disturbance, whose conduct will deserve every blow that we deal. War may or may not follow our retirement from the confederacy; but if we continue it on the terms which now exist, the abolition of slavery, and all its con- comitant horrors, will as inevitably result as the coursing of the sun through the heavens. It as [sic] certain as death. No arm can avert it. I sincerely believe that this solemn truth is apparent to the minds of almost all of us; we only [ [ ] ]kness to avow [ ] the [ Jing on the precipice of ruin, conscious of our dreadful situation, yet too paralyzed with fear to flee the dan- ger. It is time to arouse us from this lethargy - to shake off the stupor - and to do at once, and bravely, whatever duty honor and safety demand. A little more delay and it will be too late for action - we shall be bound hand and foot - the car of desolation will be driven over us, and the woes of our bleeding and blighted country may become the theme of another Iliad. In view of the whole subject, gentlemen, I am constrained to flay, that I have little or no hope that the North and South can dwell to- gether in harmony so long as the institution of slavery continues with us. Our best policy, then, is timely to separate. That the separation i.hould be a peaceful one, is a matter of the highest importance to both parties. Like Jacob and Laban, let our enemies go to the left whilst we go to the right. These, gentlemen, are my views, honestly entertained and frankly expressed. Having long since retired from the public arena, disgusted at its partisan character and unprincipled broils, I did not again ex- pect to raise my voice in the clamorous contest of the day; but, in the present hazardous crisis, I should feel myself derelict in the highest duties of a patriot-citizen, if I should remain silent when called upon to declare my sentiments. I am aware that the views which I have expressed are now unpopular - too unpopular and startling to be breathed in the lowest whisper by any one who fears persecution or desires public favor; but sure I am that they will be finallv triumphant, and that the words secession, sepamtion, disunion, which are now so appallin!!' to the hearts of many. will become the common dialect of our children - and until that shall arrive, I can entertain but little hone for the South. I have the honor to be, ~entlemen, Your obeilient seTVant, MIRABEAU B. LAMAR.
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